Donald Trump became the oldest person in U.S. history to be inaugurated as president earlier this year.
The former real estate mogul turned 79 just a few weeks ago, and while some have pointed to his age as a potential concern, Trump has consistently maintained that he remains in good health.
That said, some things can’t be hidden. Not long ago, one of Trump’s hands appeared noticeably wrinkled. According to experts, it can be a revealing sign.
Donald Trump isn’t getting any younger, but according to his team, he remains physically well despite being 79. In April, White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella released a report stating that Trump is fully fit to serve as Commander-in-Chief.
The report documented Trump’s height and weight, along with examinations of his eyes, ears, neck, throat, and heart, all of which reportedly showed no abnormalities. Barbabella also revealed that the president underwent a colonoscopy in 2024.
During that examination, doctors found a benign polyp and diverticulitis, an inflammation of pockets in the colon. As a result, it was recommended that Trump undergo a follow-up colonoscopy in three years.
Trump’s medical report also stated that he is taking several medications, including prescriptions for cholesterol management, cardiac prevention, and a cream used as needed for a skin condition.
Donald Trump’s mysterious hand bruises
In addition, Barbabella noted that Trump had undergone bilateral cataract surgery at some point and said the president has “robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function,” concluding that his active lifestyle contributes positively to his well-being.
“President Trump exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State,” Barbabella said in April.
While the report states that Trump is fit to serve as President of the United States, it does not change the fact that he is getting older. Notably, the current president has been seen with bruises on his hands several times over the past year.
The first time the mark on Trump’s dominant hand drew attention was last spring, when he appeared in court during his hush-money trial involving Stormy Daniels. Since then, he has been photographed with bruising on his hand on several occasions, including in February during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
According to the White House, the bruising and wrinkles are unrelated to Trump’s health.
In a statement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested that the bruising is simply the result of extensive handshaking.
“President Trump is a man of the people, and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other president in history,” Leavitt said. “His commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day.”
Donald Trump shows off ‘wrinkled hands’ before Kennedy Center concert
In a follow-up statement, Leavitt added: “President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day, every day.” In his Time Magazine interview for the 2024 Person of the Year issue, Trump himself said the bruising came from “shaking hands with thousands of people.”
While that may be true, Trump’s wrinkled hands have once again become a topic of discussion. Before he and his wife, Melania, attended the Kennedy Center premiere of Les Misérables in mid-June, social media users once again noticed the bruising.
“His hand really shows his age,” one person wrote on X, according to Irish Star, while another added, “I notice the bruising on his hand.”
So, could Trump’s bruising be caused by something other than thousands of handshakes? According to Economic Times, Dr. Ola Otulana, a general practitioner and physician at the Cassiobury Court rehabilitation facility in Watford, England, said the bruise on the president’s right hand appears “consistent with a superficial contusion.” He added that it could result from “minor trauma,” such as bumping into something, or even from a blood draw.
Dr. Otulana explained that “this could happen from something as commonplace as bumping the hand against a hard surface, repeated pressure such as leaning on a cane or gripping something firmly, or even medical procedures like venepuncture or blood draws.” He also noted that thinning skin and more fragile blood vessels in older adults can make bruising more visible.
“Doesn’t raise any immediate red flags”
The doctor further explained that medications such as blood thinners, aspirin, and other anti-inflammatory drugs can make bruises appear more easily and take longer to heal, which could also be a factor.
However, Dr. Otulana concluded that the bruise on Trump’s hand “doesn’t raise any immediate red flags.”
The wrinkles and bruises are not the only recent health concerns surrounding Donald Trump. On June 9, a photo of the president attending a UFC event went viral online, prompting speculation on X, Facebook, and TikTok about whether he was wearing a catheter beneath his suit.
The image showed fighter Kayla Harrison, who had just won the UFC women’s bantamweight championship, placing her belt around Trump’s waist.
One post claimed: “Trump appears to be wearing leg braces and possibly a catheter. The weakness on his right side has been pretty evident for a number of years. And the bruising on his right hand might be caused by receiving infusion therapy of some sort. Common with a Parkinson’s-type disease.”
Is Trump wearing a catheter?
Another post stated: “Trump is absolutely wearing a Foley catheter. It’s a tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine into a bag strapped to the leg. That line down his pants? Not a crease. It’s tubing. Every step he takes sounds like the sloshing of a warm Capri Sun.”
The claim quickly went viral, though others strongly disagreed.
“No it isn’t. That pant leg is close-fitting, and that perfectly straight line is a crease. Foley catheters are absolutely not standard care except after procedures. A walkie-talkie patient gets self-catheterization or male pads,” one user responded.
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